How many different voices can you be at the same time? And what does that sound like?
The Portuguese poet compartmentalized his life and his poetry in numerous personas. Each persona is a different poetic strategy for escape.
In What Pessoa Taught Me, Marthe Koning searches for all these different identities. She recites Pessoa’s poems, sometimes growling, sometimes singing or whispering. She looks for the different versions of Pessoa but mostly encounters versions of herself. Through Pessoa’s words, Marthe finds a boundlessness: when are you yourself, and when are you merely a place that feels or thinks?
InourcountlesslivesIdonotknowifIthinkorfeelwhothinksorfeels
Iammerelytheplacethatfeelsorthinks.
Spoken in English
Concept and performance: Marthe Koning - Dramaturgy: Hildegard De Vuyst - Sound design: Boris de Klerk - Lighting design: Erik van de Wijdeven - Movement coach: Mooni van Tichel - Production: detheatermaker - Partners: Workspace Brussels, Stichting King Sisters and Via Zuid - With thanks to: MAP, P.A.R.T.S, Intro in situ (Maastricht), Par Hasard, Pictura Dordrecht, Het Bos
